Outdoor Life Review

Just looked at the 2012 August Outdoor Life Magazine Crossbow review. Looks pretty good for SCORPYD! The VENTILATOR 150 (we don't make a 165# Ventilator, they tested a 150) was the fastest (393.2 fps w/415 grain) smoothest (14.66 m/s2) one of the quietest (94.3 dBA, but keep in mind the speed difference), highest KE at 20 yards (131#), least amount of arrow drop at 40 yards (9.3"), and the BIGGY... 2.09 pound trigger the "best we've tested"! Though I am greatful that Outdoor Life included us in the test, I don't quite understand is how the VENT' got a "B" for performance, when it was the fastest, smoothest,least vibration, one of the quietest, least arrow drop at 40 yards, highest KE at 20 yards, and the best trigger???

Just picked up the issue. They list the Ventilator as a 165 pounds of draw??? Duh!

The price is what put the 380 at the top, because the Ventilator beat it in almost everything else. Best Trigger, Speed, KE, least amount of arrow drop at 40 yards, least amount of vibration of all bows tested.

Yet they give the 380 a A-, and the Ventilator a B for performance??? Must be performance per dollar?

SZ 380: Trigger @ 2 pounds 13.1 ounces.

Ventilator: "The 2.09 pound trigger is outlandishly smooth and the best we've tested"

They also list both the Ten Point Carbon Elite XLT and Excalibur Eclipse XT in the NOISE (DBA) category as being quieter than the SZ 380 and the Ventilator. Not to my ears.

It mentioned they used a 415 gr arrow for the testing, but due to varying draw weights of the bows, speed is not a consideration in the final scores. Looks like a few other things some find important, were not considered as well?

They also mentioned this about the ventilator. "Our bow arrived with an unappealing silver finish, though it's available in all black and black/camo." So they did not like the gray Ventilator, but several like it the best? Also mentioned "However, even with its short slide-style cocker, the Ventilator was a handful to load." So they had the direct pull sled instead of the rope sled with 50% reduded pull like they would have had on all the other models. I like the direct pull sled, but not everybody is going to like it.

So I would suggest that anyone in the market go shoot all the bows and decide for yourself. You would think that they would have their information like bow poundages straight before publishing? These tests are also more subjective in nature.

The only way to test these bows with no manufacturer influence, is to purchase at least 3 samples (5 would be better) of each model from different retailers, and use the average score from each model for the final score. If they receive these bows as samples from the manufacturer, these results aren't worth spit to me. And that goes for all of them.

Not impressed, but probably wasted $4 on worse things in my life. After looking through the rest of the magazine, I know why I let my OL subscription expire several years ago. More advertizing than substance!

Thanks Jim for making a great crossbow. I think alot of crossbow companies are scratching there heads thinking why didn't we think of that. All my friends have there vertical bows or crossbows up for sale after seeing my Ventilator 150 and seeing how it shoots. Keep up the good work, and thank you and your staff. Russ.